Statements of Belief

The Scriptures

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were written by men who were inspired by God for this task. The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to man. All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy, being without any mixture of error. As such, the Bible is the ultimate source for knowledge about God and the supreme standard by which every personal belief system and human action should be tried.

God

There is one and only one living and true God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the Universe. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal being, infinite in holiness and all other attributes. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. God is revealed to humanity as three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

Man

Man is the special creation of God, having been made in God's image. Originally, man was free from sin, but endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice, man sinned against the commands of God, bringing sin into the human race, whereby the original fellowship with God was lost. As a result, all humanity is born into this world separated from God because of an inherited nature that is totally corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law; therefore, as soon as humans are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are all justly under divine condemnation.

The Mediator

Jesus Christ is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Jesus is fully God and fully man, sent into this world by His Father to save humanity from our bondage to sin. In his incarnation, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Having taken on human nature, but without sin, He perfectly obeyed God's law. Through His death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He sits to make intercession for His people. He will return one day to judge the world and to bring His people into the eternal Kingdom.

Salvation

Salvation has been provided for all mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross, and this salvation is offered as a free gift of God's grace. However, it can only be received through repentance toward God and personal, saving faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Saving faith is the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on one's behalf and the commitment to Him as Lord and Savior. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of God's grace. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

The Church

Jesus Christ has established a visible church—the body of Christ—that is comprised exclusively of all the redeemed—all who throughout this age have repented of their sin and have placed their faith and trust in Christ alone for their salvation. Christ is the head of the church, which has been organized for worship, for fellowship, for administration of the two ordinances instituted by Christ (Baptism and Lord's Supper), for spiritual growth and support, and for evangelizing the world.

Evangelism and Missions

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ to participate in the Great Commission as they seek to make disciples of all nations.

The Kingdom

The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His specific kingship over those who willingly receive him as Lord and Savior at the time of their personal salvation. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom of God may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom of God awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.

Last Things

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to an end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth to judge the living and the dead. The unrighteous will receive everlasting punishment and will be separated from God for eternity. The righteous will receive their reward and will dwell forever with the Lord.